Gallery Presentation International Positive Psychology Association 7th IPPA World Congress 2021

Health and wellbeing of Palestinian citizens in Israel (#305)

Ahlam AR Rahal 1
  1. McGill University, Montreal, QUEBEC, Canada

 

Social determinants of health, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) (2008), refer to social and economic factors that influence individuals’ health and wellbeing. In Israel, gaps in SES between Palestinians and Jewish citizens have increased over the years. Palestinians in Israel are an indigenous minority group that have experienced social, political, and economic discrimination. However, no study has yet investigated Palestinians’ health conditions in light of the historical SES changes. This pilot research has two purposes: 1) to trace trends of physical and mental health states of Palestinians in Israel in a historical perspective, and 2) to analyze socioeconomic and political events that have impacted Palestinians’ health. Secondary numeric data of health conditions were collected from studies published during the last six decades, including articles about social, political, and economic incidents. Health data included both physical conditions (e.g. life expectancy, mortality, infant deaths, diseases, and murder) and wellbeing (e.g. depression, life satisfaction, security, discrimination, loneliness, and suicidal behaviors). Major results revealed increased SES gaps between Palestinians and Jewish Israelis, coinciding with increased health gaps over the years. Palestinians’ rates of cancer, murder accidents, depression, loneliness, and discrimination have increased. Also, rates of fertility and life satisfaction have decreased. More precisely, the results revealed that Palestinians' wellbeing have decreased since the Israeli turn to neoliberalism. Using the Biopolitics Theory (Foucault, 1978-79/ 2008), I analyzed neoliberal policies as well as social, political and economic impact on health. I argued that socioeconomic and political factors are used as subsidiary power mechanism for controlling populations and shaping their health. This research enriches the existing knowledge about social determinants of health and post-colonial practices. Since this was a pilot study, the researcher encourages future research to hold empirical studies and employ qualitative studies for in-depth information about marginalized groups' health.

  • Keywords: Diversity and Inclusion, Health and Medicine, Psychotherapy, Resilience and Posttraumatic Growth, Systems